Digitization and the Market for Physical Works: Evidence from the Google Books Project
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy · 2023 · Abhishek Nagaraj、Imke Reimers
中文摘要
创意作品的免费数字分发可能挤占对实体版本的需求，但也可能通过使消费者发现原作品来促进实体销售。我们研究了谷歌图书数字化项目对实体图书市场的影响。我们发现，数字化显著提升了对实体版本的需求，并为发现渠道提供了证据。此外，数字化允许独立出版商为现有图书推出新版次，从而进一步增加销量。我们的结果凸显了免费数字分发增强对实体产品的需求与供给的潜力。(JEL D12, L82, L86)
Abstract
The free digital distribution of creative works could cannibalize demand for physical versions, but it could also boost physical sales by enabling consumers to discover the original work. We study the impact of the Google Books digitization project on the market for physical books. We find that digitization significantly boosts the demand for physical versions and provide evidence for the discovery channel. Moreover, digitization allows independent publishers to introduce new editions for existing books, further increasing sales. Our results highlight the potential of free digital distribution to strengthen the demand for and supply of physical products. (JEL D12, L82, L86)